Highlands County Economic Development

10/08/2026

The Economic Development team joins HCSO Dispatch Center in asking residents and businesses to register AEDs to help save lives

Is there an AED in your church, gym or clubhouse? Highlands County’s 911 dispatchers want to know where it is to help save lives.

When someone’s heart stops, the people standing nearby matter most. Our 911 dispatchers already talk callers through CPR while help is on the way.

CPR keeps blood moving, but it can’t fix a heart that’s quivering in a deadly rhythm called fibrillation. An AED can.

Using the NEAR Registry, a free, public list of AED locations run by the nonprofit PulsePoint Foundation, dispatchers with the Highlands County Sheriff's Office Consolidated Central Dispatch Center can now see whether a defibrillator is registered nearby, right on the map they use for every 911 call.

Here is how it works: You call 911, the same as always. The address is checked against the NEAR Registry. A trained dispatcher will decide whether sending someone to get the AED will help or waste valuable seconds. The dispatcher then shares that information with you, a bystander, or the responders on the way.

This will only work if our community pitches in and registers AEDs. It doesn't even have to be your AED. If you see one, you can check whether it's registered and add it to the list if it isn't. Just download the NEAR Registry app:

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pulsepoint-aed/id867150971

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.pulsepoint.aeds.android

You can also register online here: https://near.pulsepoint.org/

09/16/2026

Looking for FREE resources to support your business?

Check out these upcoming events hosted by Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce, covering topics such as marketing, workforce development, and hoilday success strategies.

We encourage our local businesses to take advantage of these opportunities and continue building, growing, and strengthening your business here in Highlands County.

09/11/2026

A few more moments from our Thrive in Highlands Graduation! 🎓

We had such a great evening celebrating our graduates and all they accomplished over the past 12 months.

We’re so proud of this group and can’t wait to see what’s next!

09/10/2026

Welcoming our second Thrive in Highlands Cohort!

🎉 We’re thrilled to welcome the second Thrive in Highlands cohort!

Our new clients kicked off their journey with an engaging first cohort meeting featuring Julie Inman of Paramount Pursuits, who presented “29 Things Every Entrepreneur Must Know.”

From practical insights to essential business lessons, the session gave these entrepreneurs valuable knowledge to help them build, grow, and thrive. We’re excited to see what they accomplish throughout the program!

Please join us in welcoming our newest Thrive in Highlands clients! 👏

09/10/2026

Introducing our Thrive In Highlands Graduates! 🎓

We are so proud of each participant for the time, dedication, and hard work they put into this 12-month program.

It has been exciting to watch these businesses grow, learn, and inspire one another as they all expand their businesses in Highlands County. We encourage our community to continue to support these local busiensses and thier owners:

Joshua Gordon - Heartland Behavioral Homes LLC
Alyssa Branca - Infinity Reflections Weddings and Events
Alicia Glasser - Cypress Roots Counseling LLC
Dr. Joanne Muniz - Hacienda 1926

Congratulations to the Thrive in Highlands 2025-2026 Cohort!

09/04/2026

09/03/2026

What a great day showcasing Highlands County!

On Monday, Highlands County Economic Development had the opportunity to host the SBDC Rural Business Tour, bringing together representatives from FloridaCommerce, Florida Small Business Development Center, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and CareerSource Florida to experience the businesses and assets that make up the industry in Highlands County.

The tour included a visit to Sebring Airport Authority, followed by stops at several of our outstanding local manufacturers — Advanced Drainage Systems, Growscape, and Steel Blue Fabrication.

These visits provide an opportunity to connect our local businesses with state and federal partners, highlight the talent and innovation happening right here in Highlands County, and identify ways we can continue supporting business growth and expansion.

We are proud to showcase the incredible businesses calling Highlands County home and grateful to all of our partners who took the time to come experience our community firsthand.

Highlands County is open for business — and we’re excited about what’s ahead!

08/25/2026

We love celebrating milestones with our entrepreneurs!

On August 4, Thrive in Highlands County client Joshua Gordon reached an exciting milestone—he was able to begin working full-time in his business, Heartland Behavioral Homes! 👏

Heartland Behavioral Homes is dedicated to providing compassionate home health care in a comfortable, home-like or community setting.

Making the leap to working full-time in your business is a BIG accomplishment and an exciting step in the entrepreneurial journey. We’re thrilled to see Joshua’s hard work and commitment moving his business forward!

Please join us in congratulating Joshua on this exciting achievement! 🎊 Drop a 👏 or a 🎉 in the comments to celebrate with him!

08/21/2026

Learn more about our very own Economic Development Manager, Yarima Cuencas! We're proud to have her as part of our team and appreciate all she does to support economic growth and our local business community.

Every day, Highlands County Economic Development division works to create opportunities for residents and businesses by attracting new employers, supporting local entrepreneurs and strengthening our economy.

Meet Yarima Cuencas, Economic Development manager in the Development Services department. Yarima has been with Highlands County since 2019.

A key part of her work is workforce development. She partners with the school board, South Florida State College and CareerSource to connect local talent with education, training and career opportunities right here in Highlands County.

Yarima also helps recruit new businesses by representing Highlands County at trade shows and conferences across the country, showcasing what our community has to offer. She recently represented the County at the SelectUSA Investment Summit, one of the nation’s largest investment events.

One of her favorite parts of the job is helping small businesses succeed. She is especially proud of helping launch the Thrive in Highlands program, a 12-month business incubator that provides entrepreneurs with mentorship, marketing support and business development resources.

Outside of work, Yarima is a proud mom of four daughters and enjoys taking them on adventures, especially to Florida’s west coast beaches.

When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her at Sophie’s Cuban Café or Strangely Warmed Coffee. She’s also a longtime Bob Marley fan, a love she shared with her late father, and proudly cheers on the Florida Gators.

We’re grateful for Yarima’s passion and leadership and for the work she does to expand opportunities for businesses, workers and families across Highlands County.

08/17/2026

Last week our team lead Sarah Beth Murphy participated as a panelist in the Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce State of the Community Luncheon.

Sarah Beth shared some of the current successes, challenges, and opportunities our office is seeing throughout Highlands County and the work we are doing to support our local economy.